MIdsommar Madness....

So, last night, I threw a little Midsommar party - Swedish style. We held it at my niece's house across the street because she has a big yard and a great big deck. I made Swedish meatballs, boiled eggs with caviar, salmon, new potatoes, cheese, and had lingonberries. My family and friends showed up with noodle casserole, chips and dips, tamales and strawberries. It was also my friend Jamey's birthday so we had a little cake. We sang Swedish songs and danced around a tree in lieu of a Maypole. Oh, and those Swedish songs were drinking songs so there was plenty of schnapps to go around...

and around....

and around...

and....

well, you get the picture.

Today I am nursing a pretty serious hang over. I haven't had a hang over in years so this is not pretty.

Did I have fun? Oh hell yes!
Will I do it again?

Let's just say I'm happy this Midsommar stuff only happens once a year!

Glad Midsommar!

So today is the summer solstice and in Sweden that means PARTY ON, DUDES! Alex is here, of course, and not in Sweden so we've planned a little get together for later today. It won't be the Aquavit ridden, Maypole dancing excuse for debauchery that takes place in Sweden today but we will have schnapps and herring (for the more adventurous eaters...) and, in true American tradition, pretzels and beer.

The Swedes are not alone in their celebration of Midsommar. The summer solstice means more to the people of western Europe than it does us here because so much of their year is spent in mostly darkness. Once the sun comes out and stays out for any measurable time, it is a cause for celebration. And since the longest day of the year, the day with the most sun, is today - they will celebrate long and hard. Something along the lines of video above...

Okay, not exactly like that but you get the idea!

Anyway, I don't expect to be sober too long into the night. I will be dizzy with scnapps and beer and have the slight scent of herring. (Stop laughing, that's NOT what I was talking about and you know it....pervs...)

So, as they say in Sweden, GLAD MIDSOMMAR! Now go out there, dance around a pole and get your Swedish on!